Writing a general procedure for CMM programming - Need advice

P

Pudge

#1
My manager has asked me to write a general procedure for CMM programming, my question is what should be included. IMO...programming is so diverse for each program can you actually write a procedure for this?

TIA,
Jeremy
 
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Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#2
Pudge said:
My manager has asked me to write a general procedure for CMM programming, my question is what should be included. IMO...programming is so diverse for each program can you actually write a procedure for this?

TIA,
Jeremy
The fact that the boss is asking for a "general procedure" seems to indicate that he/she is more interested in an overview of the steps common to all CMM programming tasks. If you're not familiar with your current process, talk to the programmer(s) about it. Also, writing a procedure is a good opportunity to improve the process and get control over it. If you document a faulty process, you'll wind up with a well-documented faulty process.
 

RoxaneB

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
#3
It's been a while since my last attempt at programming, but what I do recall in all of my courses is the "good format" guideline...structure and explanations of coding and stuff like that. An example of the benefits of such a guideline is that we had a brilliant co-op student here once who developed a great little program to help us track some issues. Then we wished to expand the program...had to start from scratch because no one - not even the computer consultant we have - could understand what the heck he had written. :(
 
#4
Pudge said:
IMO...programming is so diverse for each program can you actually write a procedure for this?
Yes, i think so.

How about, for instance:

Where the program should be stored?
Where do you keep info about fixtures and measuring probes used?
Programme created when, acc to what drawing issue, updated when?
Results to whom?

You know, the practical details... What do you need to know before you start programming? What do you need to know when you're about to update the program?

/Claes
 
#5
CMM Procedure

I think the key word here is "general". We bought a CMM about six months ago and I am also writting a procedure for our machine. Here are some of the things I plan on including in my procedure.

General operating instructions:
How to turn the machine on and off.
How to start up the computer.
Software Control.
How to open and navigate the PC-DMIS software.
How to correctly mount probes.
Temperature & environmental considerations.
Where to find help when there are problems.
There will be a general maintenance section.
There will be a section that refers to annual calibration-(outsourced).
General -General-General-Etc...
Most operating instructions will simply refer to the operation manual, we will in no way attempt to cover every programming situation that could occur.

I dont know about your company, but in ours there are only two people who know how to operate and program the CMM. Who else is going to read this procedure? Keep it simple and sweet. This is not a situation where someone off the street can walk in and read your procedure and know how to complete a task. Good Luck - Hope this helps a little bit.
 
B

bmccabe - 2006

#6
I've done the same thing here. I'd suggest you make a flow chart first. Give some explanation of controls and edit restrictions before you begin the application development procedure. Start with Get a sample part, and the drawing. Assemble fixturing (both hard and soft). Write the program. [Avoid explanations of how to write programs - refer the reader to the OEM documentation instead.] Mention performance objectives, sprinkle liberally with terms like - Robust performance, fair sampling of features, and compensated measurements. Next set exports and required output formats for the data. Perform an MSA using 1 (one) sample part. [ Adding more parts to the MSA proves only the "Robust performance" of the application. ] Communicate CP or PP to Quality, and the designers. Last is to publish the application.
 
D

Dave Dunn

#7
Regarding programming, I'd suggest involving whomever does the programming on a regular basis in the procedure writing. (assuming it's someone other than yourself) Someone experienced with the machine in question will have a lot of good input on the best ways to do things.

Based on the machine and software you have, there can be a lot of differences in programming methods. There are some things that will be common to any type of machine though:
Setup instructions for part fixturing (format and location of such)
Programming safety steps into the program to assure safe and repeatable programs. (Instructions regarding clearing probe travel areas, etc.)


Concerning a procedure to cover operation of the CMM, (not necessarily programming)
Other things you could include:

Probe qualification: how to calibrate a stylus and when it will be needed (stylus changes, etc.)
Safety considerations while using the CMM.
 
G

gszekely

#8
Did you experienced problems in running your programs ? is your CMM a video or stylus. Any crash during run, somebody changed the program ?
I would add to the above, wery good advice, the followings:
How you store the programs?
Who has got and how access for modifications ? User levels ?
How do you know if your operator use the latest (good prgram) ? You should have a list, product and program used.
To the programing i would add: be shore that your part alignament, and measuring coordinate system, and you read the data on the corect axis, acording to the drawing. 3D measuring is a litle bit diferent than 2D
Gyorgy
 
H

Hennie

#9
CMM Programming

My experience with CMM programming started back in 1987. In those days we had a DEA machine( since taken over by Browne & Sharp) with Fortran as the communication basis. The language was then changed to Pascal based and currently PC-DMIS. Since I moved out of the component market at the time PC-DMIS was introduced, I cannot comment on the use of PC-DMIS - assuming this is the cummunication basis of your CMM.
The concern I have with the current generation of CMM Programmers is their lacking knowledge of the basics of metrology. My experience is that without this basic knowledge, disasterous mistakes can be made by an excellent "Programmer".
Therefore, yes you can develop Operating Instructions for the CMM Operators but the Programmer must have a very good experience of metrology and also the physical application of trigonometry.
 

Ron Rompen

Trusted Information Resource
#10
One suggestion that I would make (along with all the other good ideas that have been mentioned) is a logbook of program files, listed by part number and program name, with a sketch (or marked-up print) showing the point locations of the measurement points, and the meaning of the output files. This is particularly true if you are using a less-than-current programming language (we are still using WTutor), or have a a lot of turnover in the department.

Nothing worse than having an operator bring in a part for FirstOff, and finding that not one person in the department knows how to set the part up on the fixture for measurement, or which of 5 programs is the correct one to run, or what the output format means.

We have a programmer who is very VERY good, gone far beyond what I taught him when first hired, but if he's not there to explain what he has done, we're all in the dark.
 
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